It's Easier to Think

A band of owls moved into town. They shopped for groceries and ran for office, that sort of thing. It began casually. Everyone simply put up with the owls because businesses were booming and the schoolchildren’s test scores had suddenly taken a turn for the better. More and more owls, and some people too, made the move into town and the room for accommodations began to diminish. Needless to say there was a lot of construction. The town became a city. It developed a nightlife and the constant yellowish buzz of electricity. 

One night at the Electric Mole, I met Julia, the daughter of new and prosperous socialites in town. She was incredible— the most amazing eyes. We stayed awake through most nights holding each other beneath the moonlit window. We talked about everything, but mostly about our disdain for the construction and the flood of immigrant owls. 

I told her, We seem to be the only two who are concerned, who notice. The only two who want out… 

…Who want a simpler life, she said. The only two who…who… 

One night, when 
you return to your childhood 
home after

a lifetime away, 
you’ll find it 
abandoned. Its

paint will be 
completely weathered.

It will have 
a significant westward lean.

There will be 
a hole in its roof 
that bats fly 
out of.

The old man 
hunched over 
at the front door 
will be prepared 
to give you a tour, 
but first he’ll ask 
Scary, or no scary?

You should say 
No scary.